As a game with an unlimited number of playstyles, it can be difficult to accurately rank player capability in chess. To solve this challenge, a numerical rating system is used by FIDE, the governing body of chess. On this scale, beginners start at a rating of zero and thebest players have a rating around 2800. (this may increase in the future, however) Naturally, this brings forward the question of who are the these top rated players.
Here are the best chess players in the world, along with their official chess ratings:
1. Magnus Carlsen (2864)
Currently the highest rated chess player, Magnus Carlson is a 5 time FIDE World Chess Champion (WCC) - the highest title a player can attain in the world of chess. The Norwegian player has also trained under several grandmasters, including former world champion Garry Kasprov. However, Carlson is not planning his title in the 2023 World Championships.
2. Ding Liren (2806)
Ding Liren is a 29 year old super-grandmaster who has been winning a wide variety of competitions since his youth This includes the Chinese Chess Championships and the 2019 Sinquefield Cup, along with many more. Additionally, he once remained undefeated for over 100 games in a row!
3. Alireza Firouzja (2793)
One of the youngest people on this list, Alireza Firouja is an Iranian-born French grandmaster. He is one of the youngest to qualify for a Candidates Tournament when he was 18. Currently 19, he has at one point had a rating above 2800, breaking the record of the youngest 2800+ player.
4. Fabiano Caruana (2783)
Fabiano Caruana is an exceptionally strong player, even among this list. At one point in his career, he was number 2 in the world and challenged Carlson for the WCC title in 2018. He also holds the record for the youngest American grandmaster.
5. Levon Aronian (2775)
Levon Aronian has been among the worlds best players since 2005, when he first entered the top 20. His accomplishments include having the 4th highest rating ever (2830), winning 2 Chess Worls Cups, earning multiple gold medals, and many more.
6. Wesley So (2773)
One of the few people who has placed above Carlson in a tournament is Wesley So. In 2019, he decisively won the Fischer Random World Chess Championship, the first FIDE-sanctioned competition of its kind. Wesley So has also held the number 2 position before.
7. Ian Nepomniachtchi (2766)
Another top-level grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi won the 2020-2021 Canidates Tournament, giving him the opportunity to challenge Carlson for the WCC title in 2021. While unsuccessful, he has a great record against WCCs, including a surpassing Carlson in a tournament before their 2021 match. He will be competing against Liren in 2023 in the World Chess Championships.
8. Richard Rapport (2764)
Richard Rapport is a Hungarian grandmaster who is known for his creative openings. In fact, a friend of him once said that “Rapport was a rock-and-roll player. He chose opening moves seemingly at random and could start his game with any pawn.” While his style has became more solid in recent years, his openings still sometimes catch the best players off-guard.
9 (tie). Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2760)
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is a French grandmaster who has won several Euorpean championships over the years and the title of World Blitz Champion in 2021. He had a top rating of 2819 and has been in the top 5 often.
9 (tie). Anish Giri (2760)
Anish Giri is a 4-time Dutch Champion and has previously ranked as the 3rd best player in the world. At the time of his achievement, he held the record for becoming the youngest grandmaster at age 14 and a half.
9 (tie). Hikaru Nakamura (2760)
Hikaru Nakamura is an American grandmaster who is a 5-time US chess champion.He has playing in many top-level international tournaments and achived a rating of 2900 in blitz chess in 2020.